Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, May 1: A deadlock between shopkeepers and administration over compensation and rehabilitation has stalled the eight kilometer long road expansion project from Qamarwari to Parimpora in Srinagar city along Srinagar-Baramulla highway.
Nearly 150 shopkeepers along the Qamawari- Parimpora road stretch fear that the project would snatch their livelihood owing to alleged ‘inimical rehabilitation and compensation policy’ by Government.
The widening of Qamarwari-Parimpora stretch would remove a major bottle neck in the vehicular movement and would streamline traffic on the congested route which connects North Kashmir to Srinagar. However, the deadlock over relocation process is hampering the project.
Secretary All traders Association Qamarwari said the Government cannot impose an archaic rehabilitation policy on them and it needed to be developed as per the present market rates. “In 2002, authorities were willing to pay Rs 10 lakh per shop as compensation which is insufficient as the market has increased several times. As per the market value they should pay us Rs 30 lakh per shop”, he said.
“There are two conditions on which shopkeepers would agree with the officials. Either they have to arrange every affected shopkeeper a shop or pay Rs 30 lakhs, so that everyone will be able to start a new business,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Revenue Srinagar, Hamid- ullah Mir, said the District Administration is willing to pay Rs 10 lakhs as a compensation for business loss. “Shopkeepers who own the land will be paid extra for their land as per the current market value”, he added.
“As compensation, we will provide a shop in lieu of a shop. For shops, which are 100 square feet in area, we will pay Rs 10 lakhs while shops less than 100 square feet will be paid proportionately, as per the laid down guidelines. In case the property is owned by someone else then the 25 per cent of compensation will be handed over to property owners while 75 per cent compensation will go to the tenants,” he said.
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